New methods for clinical pathways-Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) and Tangible Business Process Modeling...

Area of Science:

• Medical informatics
• Process management
• Healthcare quality improvement

Background:

• Clinical pathways (CP) are increasingly used, but their optimal design and impact remain debated.
• Current CP design often reflects institutional expectations rather than standardized methodologies.
• A pilot project was initiated to explore novel methods for CP development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop clinical pathways for colon and rectum carcinoma using Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) and Tangible Business Process Modeling (t.BPM).
• To assess the suitability and feasibility of these modeling techniques in a clinical setting.
• To evaluate the potential applications of BPMN-based clinical pathways.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN), an industry standard for process modeling, and Tangible Business Process Modeling (t.BPM), a modular system for creating initial outlines.
• Developed CP for colon and rectal cancer through an interdisciplinary and interprofessional approach, involving medical, nursing, and administrative staff.
• Conducted interviews and analyzed pathways for feasibility, expenditure, clarity, and suitability for daily practice.

Main Results:

• The development of two CP (colon and rectum carcinoma) was completed within 15 working days (55 man-days).
• Familiarization with BPMN was intuitive, and t.BPM facilitated pragmatic outline creation.
• Pathways incorporated checklists and guidelines; direct integration into hospital computer systems was not yet feasible.
• Analysis focused on feasibility, cost, clarity, and practical applicability.

Conclusions:

• BPMN and t.BPM are suitable for modeling and visualizing clinical pathways in medicine.
• These methods offer potential for teaching, patient information, and quality management due to clear graphical representation.
• While effective, BPMN-CP development requires significant time and manpower; direct integration into hospital IT systems is recommended for future applications.